San Francisco Youth Commission
Minutes
Monday, April 4, 2011
5:15-8:00pm
City Hall, Room 416
There will be public comment on each item.
1. Call to Order
Chair LaCroix called the meeting to order at 5:21pm.
Commissioners present: Zuckerman, Marshall-Fricker, Perez, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Herzstein, Kaminsky, Chan, LaCroix, Lin.
Commissioners tardy: Sun (arrived at 5:23pm), Fierro.
Commissioners absent: Hirano, Benezra, Liang, Hewitt.
Staff present: Mario Yedidia.
2. Approval of Agenda (Action Item)
Commissioner Herzstein, seconded by commissioner Kaminsky, moved to approve the agenda but by amending it to explicitly not include action on item 5c. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
3. Public Comment on Items not on Agenda
There was none.
4. Legislation Referred from the Board of Supervisors (Action Item)
5. Presentations (All Items to follow Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Presentation on the Mission SF Community Financial Center’s New Economic Rights for All Campaign
Presenter: Celina Ramos, Mission SF, Community Financial Center
Document A
Celina Ramos, Jocelyn, Sergio, Jessica and other youth leaders from Mission SF’s New Economic Rights for All (New Era), provided the Youth Commission with an in depth explanation of their campaign—an educational and research effort to reduce the effects of predatory lending on young people of color. This presentation included discussions of pay day lenders and other predatory financial institutions, as well as the communities they target. These youth leaders concluded their presentation by requesting the presence of the Youth Commission at their kickoff event on May 18.
Commissioner Chan then motioned to support and endorse the event, seconded by commissioner Herzstein. This motion was approved unanimously by acclamation.
**Privilege of the floor was granted to Supervisor Mark Farrell, who had recently entered the hearing room.
Supervisor Farrell subsequently offered some brief remarks, explaining that he had come to the Youth Commission on the behalf of the Board of Supervisors and, as it were, City Hall as a whole, to thank the Youth Commissioners for their work. Before concluding and departing, the Supervisor graciously mentioned that his door is always open, and that he happily accepts any visitors.**
B. Presentation and request for input regarding the Planning Department’s Central Corridor Project
Presenter: Steve Wertheim, Planner, Planning Department
Document B
Steve Wertheim, a staff person at the Planning Department, presented the Youth Commission with a request for input regarding his department’s Central Corridor Project, which will involve changing land use regulations in the South of Market area above the City’s Central Subway Project (in which the City is investing $1 to $1.5 billion).
Mr. Wertheim explained that the Planning Department has authority over what is built in the City and County of San Francisco. His purpose of coming to the Youth Commission was to engage, and find new ways of interacting and involving the youth of San Francisco – which is one of the underrepresented populations.
Commissioners Herzstein and Kaminsky offered questions.
Mr. Wertheim concluded by laying out his three goals vis-à-vis the Youth Commission: first and foremost, that the Youth Commission know that the Planning Department exists; secondly, that the Youth Commission, when possible, help the Planning Department reach out to the young people in the neighborhoods affected by this project; and, finally, that the Youth Commission help the Planning Department engage more young San Franciscans in its future projects.
C. Presentation and request for support of San Francisco Community College District’s fee suspension for City College
Presenter: John Rizzo, President, City College Board of Trustees
Document C
John Rizzo, the President of City College Board of Trustees, presented the Youth Commission with a request for support for a fee suspension for City College. Mr. Rizzo discussed the current economic threats to California Colleges. He discussed that not only do they have 25% fewer administrators, but they are taking $24 million in costs, on top of increased costs. Therefore, even more cuts will need to be made to support this deflated budget.
Mr. Rizzo then asked the Youth Commission to support the suspension of fees at City College.
Commissioners Zuckerman, Herzstein, LaCroix and Chan asked questions. Because of a noticing problem—the agenda packet for this meeting did not include the second page of the City College resolution—the Youth Commission could not take action on this matter. Commissioners agreed to take this up at their next meeting.
6. Youth Commission Business (All Items to follow Discussion and Possible Action)
A. Resolution calling on the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to Support the California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (1st reading)
Presenters and sponsors: Commissioners Yang, Sun, Perez, Lin
Document D
Commissioner Yang took the microphone to discuss this resolution. She proceeded to read the resolution into the public record.
Commissioner LaCroix moved to vote on this resolution on its first reading, seconded by commissioner Sun. This motion was approved by the following roll call vote: Ayes (10)—Marshall-Fricker, Sun, Perez, Fierro, Beaulac, Nauer, Yang, Herzstein, LaCroix, Lin. No (1)—Kaminsky. Absent for vote: Chan.
Commissioner Yang moved to support this resolution, seconded by commissioner Sun. This motion was approved and this resolution was adopted unanimously by acclamation.
B. Resolution supporting Planned Parenthood and calling on the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors to urge the U.S. Congress to not to cut its funding (2nd reading)
Presenter and sponsor: Commissioner Kaminsky
Document E
Commissioner Kaminsky read this resolution, slightly revised from the last meeting of March 21, into the public record.
Commissioner Fierro moved to support this resolution, seconded by commissioner Herzstein. This motion was approved and this resolution was adopted unanimously by acclamation.
C. Update on Youth Commission Outreach Plan for 2011-2012 Application
Presenters: Commissioners Beaulac, Fierro and Youth Commission staff
Document F
7. Staff Report (Informational Item)
There was none.
8. Committee Reports: City & School; Arts, Culture, Recreation and Entertainment; Youth Justice (Informational Item)
9. Attendance Review (Action Item)
There was none.
10. Announcements (This includes Community Events)
Commissioners Nauer, Fierro and Beaulac reminded everyone present about the upcoming April 30 Financial Literacy Day, the upcoming Board of Supervisors Budget & Finance Committee discussions of the budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, and the Cesar Chavez Day parade.
Finally, commissioner LaCroix reminded everyone that April is Autism Awareness Month. She urged everyone to wear blue in support.
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:11pm in honor of Autism Awareness Month.
Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call our accessibility hotline at (415) 554-8925 to discuss meeting accessibility. In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate such people, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE Supplemental documents for agenda items are available for review at City Hall Room 345. Minutes are also available on the Youth Commission Website at www.sfgov.org/youth_commission.
ACCESSIBLE MEETING POLICY
The Youth Commission meeting will be held in City Hall Room 416. The formal address of City Hall is 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA. The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center Station at the United Nations Plaza and Market Street. Accessible MUNI lines serving this location are: MUNI Metro Lines J-Church, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, M-Oceanview, N-Judah, and T-Third Street at Van Ness and Civic Center Stations; 9-San Bruno, 19-Polk, 47-VanNess, and 71-Haight Noriega. For information about MUNI accessible services call 923-6142.
The Commission meeting room is wheelchair accessible. Accessible curbside parking spaces have been designated on the corners of McAllister and Polk, and Grove and Polk. There is accessible parking available within the Civic Center Underground Parking Garage at the corner of McAllister and Polk Streets, and within the Performing Arts Parking Garage at Grove and Franklin Streets.
If you require the use of an American sign language interpreter, a sound enhancement system, or a reader during the meeting, calendars and minutes of the meeting in alternative formats; such arrangements can be made by calling Mario Yedidia at (415) 554-6446, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Late requests will be honored if possible.
(Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review.
For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance, or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact by mail: Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, City Hall Room 224, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102; by phone at (415) 554-7724; by fax at (415) 554-7854; or by e-mail at sotf@sfgov.org.
Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from the Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the internet, at http://www.sfbos.org/index.aspx?page=4459.
The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers, and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic device. (Admin. Code § 67A.1).
In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical- based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals.